Intended and unintended consequences of internal motivation to behavenonprejudiced: The case of benevolent discrimination

摘要

Internal motivation to behave nonprejudiced reduces prejudice. The present research looks at the impact of internalmotivation in a special case of prejudiced behavior, namely benevolent discrimination. It was hypothesized that internalmotivation does not reduce, but rather increases benevolent discrimination as long as individuals are not aware of itsnegative consequences. This is because of the positive intention required to show benevolent discrimination. Once thenegative consequences have been made salient, internal motivation will facilitate self-criticism of one's own benevolentlydiscriminating behavior; which will be reflected in a more critical reappraisal of previous benevolently discriminatingbehavior. The predictions were supported in three studies. Study 1 analyzed the impact of internal motivation onbenevolent discrimination. Study 2 and 3 analyzed the effect of internal motivation on the critical reappraisal of one's ownbenevolently discriminating behavior. The implications for the regulation of benevolent discrimination in the broadercontext of social discrimination are discussed.